Stovepipe thimble



Jan. 5 1926. v 1,568,879

E. B. CHRISTIAN STOVEPIPE THIMBLE Filed May 27, 1925 WITNESS Patented Jan. 5, 1926.

. UNITED STATES EDWIN IB'R YA1\'|' CHRISTIAN, OF WALLACE, IDAHO.

STOVEPIPE THIMBLE.

Application filed May 27', L925. Serial No. 33,250.

fastening stove pipes in flue openings and has for its object the provision of a novel device of this character provided with means for positively engaging against the side wall of the/flue and other means positively engaging a stovepipe joint or section whereby to, hold the stove pipe properly with respect to the flue and to prevent it from being pulled out accidentally.

An important objectis the provision of a thimble whichis formed of pivotally con- 'nected sections whereby one end may be initially contracted to facilitate insertion within a fine opening, the other end being provided with means not only for clamping a stove pipe therein but also for effecting contraction thereabout so that the inner end will be expanded into close engagement within the flue opening so that dislocation will be prevented.

Another important object is the provision of a device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, easy to use, positive in action, eflicient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

lVith the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and arrangement to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanyflue having a brick, tile or other wall B- formed with an opening C.

In carrying out the invention I provide a thimble designated generally by the numeral 10, which thimble is here represented as comprising a pair of similar semi-cylindrical sections 11 pivotally connected at 12 as for instance by means of a rivet,bolt or the like whereby the two sectionsmay have relative movement as will be explained. At one end, the sections are formed with an outstanding head or flange 13 adapted to be engaged against the inside surface of the wall B, and at an intermediate point the sections are provided with outstanding beads 14 adapted to engage against the outside of the wall B for preventing the thimble from slipping in. The outer ends of the sections are additionally formed with outstanding beads or pressed portions 15 which are adapted to receive and clampi-ngly engage the usual outstanding flange D or boa d formed on a stove pipe section E.

The sections 11 are provided with angular bracket members 16 apertured for the passage of a suitable clamping bolt 17 carying a clamping nut 18.

In the use of the device, it is first necessary to remove the bolt 17 so that the sections 11 may be swung upon their pivot 12 into the position shown by dotted lines in Figure 1. hen this is done, it quite apparent that one end of the thimble will be greatly contracted and may then be easily inserted through the flue opening C until the flanges or bead 13 are located inwardly of the inner face of the wall 13 of the flue. The stove pipe E is then inserted within the expanded outer end of the device to such a point that the flange or bead D thereon will engage within the outwardly pressed bead 15 of the sections 11, and subsequently to this the sections 11 are swung upon the pivot 12 until the outer ends thereof engage closely upon the stove pipe section E as clearly indicated by full lines in Figure 1. The bolt 17 is then inserted through the angular bracket 16 and the nut 18 is applied. This bolt should of course be tightened until the sections 11 clamp firmly upon the stove pipe section and when this is done it is of course apparent that the rocking movement of the sections upon their pivot 12 will cause the inner ends to be moved outwardly into close engagement with the opening C in the flue. hen the device is thus placed in position it is apparent that the flanges or beads 13 will prevent the thimble from pulling out while the flanges or beads 14 will prevent it from being pushed inwardly, the outwardly pressed portions or beads 15 further coacting with the corresponding elements on the stove pipe to hold the stove pipe against displacement.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a very simply constructed, inexpensive and very easily installed device of the character described which will be a great safeguard inasmuch as accidental displacement of any of the parts will be positively prevented on account of the interlocking features.

\Vhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention it should be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. For instance, the device may be so constructed and arranged as to hold an elbow instead of a straight pipe section. It is conceivable that other modifications or variations may be resorted to as the disclosure is merely an exempliiication of a preferred form of the invention, it being obvious that Variations will suggest themselves to one skilled in the art.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A stove pipe thimble comprising a pair of similar semi-cylindrical sections pivotally connected intermediate their ends whereby the sections may be contracted at one end to facilitate insertion within a flue opening, said end having outstanding flanges adapted to engage against the inner wall of the flue, and means connected with the other ends of the sections for eifecting movement thereof toward each other to expand the first named ends the outer ends of said sections being formed with outstanding beads adapted to receive and conformingly engage upon the outstanding head of a stove pipe section whereby to effect a clamping action thereon.

A stove pipe thimble comprising a pair of similar send-cylindrical sections pivotally connected intermediate their ends whereby the sections may be contracted at one end to facilitate insertion within a flue opening, said end having outstanding flanges adapted to engage against the inner wall of the flue, and means connected with the other ends of the sections for effecting movement thereof toward each other to expand the first named ends, said means comprising angular brackets secured upon the sections, and a clamping bolt passing through said sections and equipped with a nut, said sections being formed intermediate their ends with outstanding beads adapted to engage against the outside of the flue wall, and the outer ends of the sections being formed with outstanding beads adapted to conformingly receive and en'ibracingly engage the outstanding bead of a stove pipe inserted between the outer ends of the sections.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EDIVIN BRYAN CHRISTIAN. 

